Upgrade at airport
Nov 17, 2006, 2:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 279
Upgrade at airport
What is the possibility of upgrading a Y ticket (booked in X class) to UC at the airport on departure? Either one way or return? Do they calculate the full upgrade or do they offer a special rate (say like TG ex LHR to upgrade on the day of departure). This route in question is LHR-BOM.
I did try searching but was unable to find anything similar .. apologies if there is something. Any advice appreciated.
With thanks
I did try searching but was unable to find anything similar .. apologies if there is something. Any advice appreciated.
With thanks
Nov 18, 2006, 9:11 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: London
Posts: 670
AFAIK this is possible, but not on tickets that are non upgradeable. I have seen it done before with both miles and cash at the LHR customer service desk (next to UC check in). Best bet is to ask at the CS desk before you get to a check in agent.
Nov 19, 2006, 1:24 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: UA, AA, Marriott, National, Sixt
Posts: 749
I have a similar question, however with W booking code. What kind of possibility is there to upgrade to UC from LHR - BOM on VS 350? I'm assuming since W is full fare Premium Economy, the price to upgrade to UC shouldn't be that much.
Nov 19, 2006, 2:20 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Home
Programs: Virgin FC, Qantas, Golden Circle, Sofitel, Hyatt, Starwood, Nectar, and my Tesco Club Card
Posts: 1,770
I think sometimes no matter how much money, miles, status you have in your pocket or what fare class you're booked in they just don't do upgrades. Was told this at JNB earlier this year when I offered to use miles / cash to upgrade my Top priced PE ticket to UC (available) after I couldn't get beyond the waitlist for PE and was facing paying £1100 for a 1 way seat in Economy. Was finally moved up to PE when a seat became available when check in closed.
Nov 19, 2006, 5:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, California
Programs: UA-1P
Posts: 60
Originally Posted by Kettering Northants QC
I think sometimes no matter how much money, miles, status you have in your pocket or what fare class you're booked in they just don't do upgrades.
But at other times they do the whole calculation and then say "oh but the computer isn't letting me do that right now" or suddenly decide at the last minute (after completing the paperwork and signing the miles away) that you have the wrong kind of ticket. I just always give it a try.
Nov 21, 2006, 8:39 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 690
Definitely worth asking at the ticket desk. Earlier this year I asked at LHR about using miles to upgrade my N ticket (cheapest economy) to UC. In theory these tickets are non-upgradeable but I paid a bit more cash to convert it to an upgradeable economy ticket and then was allowed to use my miles. Note I only upgraded the return (PVG-LHR) but seemed to be more flexible asking for this in London than in Shanghai.
Nov 21, 2006, 1:26 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,908
Originally Posted by broadwayboy
Is it possible to upgrade from K fare (PE) to UC using miles?
In advance , I do not think so as the T&C's state the PE fare has to be in W or S to upgrade to UC with miles. On the day of departure you could ask at the airport.
Regards
TBS
Nov 21, 2006, 4:03 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, California
Programs: UA-1P
Posts: 60
Originally Posted by The _Banking_Scot
In advance , I do not think so as the T&C's state the PE fare has to be in W or S to upgrade to UC with miles. On the day of departure you could ask at the airport.
Nov 21, 2006, 4:41 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: UK
Programs: Lots of shiny metallic ones.
Posts: 1,049
While strictly not possible, it HAS been reported on a few occasions that passengers have been able to "buy up" from a K to an S (with cash) and then use miles to upgrade the ticket IN ADVANCE.
There are examples detailed on v-flyer.com of this.
There are examples detailed on v-flyer.com of this.
Dec 1, 2006, 3:04 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 279
No luck :-(
FYI - I was unable to upgrade my ticket 
In the end, I had to purchase a comlpetely new J class ticket (ouch!)
I will see if VS will refund my 'non refundable' Y class ticket out of good will considering I spent just a FEW extra pounds on the new ticket.
Will report my progress.
I must say, though, I am surprised that I just couldn't pay the upgrade fee to upgrade my Y class ticket.
In the end, I had to purchase a comlpetely new J class ticket (ouch!)
I will see if VS will refund my 'non refundable' Y class ticket out of good will considering I spent just a FEW extra pounds on the new ticket.
Will report my progress.
I must say, though, I am surprised that I just couldn't pay the upgrade fee to upgrade my Y class ticket.